Use and storage of dangerous products
9 Mar 12
Aim:
The centre will protect centre staff, children, families and visitors from risks associated with chemical products, medicines, other dangerous substances and dangerous equipment used in the centre and environs.
Background:
Accidental poisoning is the second most common hospital admission for child injuries in Australia, and 75% of accidental poisonings are attributed to medications. The most common accidental poisonings involve respiratory and cough medications, antihistamines, paracetamol, iron tablets, benzodiazepines, and eucalyptus and other vapouriser oils. Other main agents of poisoning in children are household chemicals, especially pesticides including snail bait and mothballs, bleach and other cleaners, detergents, solvents, petroleum and kerosene and cosmetics. Many of these chemical products are routinely used in children’s centers and are potentially hazardous, either by ingestion, inhalation or skin contact. Pesticides and volatile chemicals such as solvents are easily inhaled. Information on chemical products can be obtained from manufacturers on Material Safety Data Sheets that provide information on chemical toxicity, health effects, safe handling and storage, and first aid instructions.
Relevant Legislation:
Children’s Services Regulation 2004; Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and
Regulation, 2001, (NSW); Pesticide Act 1999 (NSW); Australian Standards for storage and handling of hazardous chemicals and materials.
Key Resources:
“The Toxic Playground”, Immig, J 2000
Managing the Risks in Children’s Services, Caton, S. Roche D., 1999
Handling Pesticide Wastes – EPA: www.epa.nsw.gov.au
Managing OHS in Children’s Services, Tarrant. S., 2002
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Practices:
When using or storing any chemical or dangerous substances or dangerous equipment, the centre will:
Choose the least hazardous chemical, product or equipment for the job.
Choose chemicals or medicines with child resistant lids or caps.
Ensure that all dangerous cleaning materials (including detergents), poisons and other dangerous substances and medications are stored in their original labeled container. If they are transferred to a smaller, more manageable container, the container should be labeled. When using “spray bottles”, spray into a cloth to apply rather than into the air or onto surfaces to avoid inhalation of droplets.
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Ensure that if the original container for hazardous substances does not have a child resistant lid , the container is kept in a locked place, which is secure and inaccessible to children - unless under close adult supervision.
Have storage facilities that are secure and inaccessible to children (unless under close adult supervision) for the following types of tiems:
All cleaning materials, including detergents
Poisonous and other dangerous substances
Dangerous tools and equipment
Toiletries
Medications
First aid equipment
Emergency medical equipment and drugs
Jagged or sharp objects that pose a hazard to children
Not store pesticides, herbicides, solvents, petroleum or kerosene on the premises.
Ensure storage containers used for chemicals are returned to the supplier or are properly discarded when empty.
Have storage facilities that are secure and inaccessible to children (unless under close adult supervision) for any tool or equipment that is operated by an engine or any tool or equipment that poses a possible hazard to children or staff.
Ensure that if any of the above substances need to be refrigerated, they are stored in a labeled child resistant container, preferably in a separate compartment of the refrigerator.
Maintain a Hazardous Substances Register and Risk Assessment in accordance with the OHS Act and Regulation for bulk chemicals or nondomestic products and quantities. These items should be clearly labeled. The record should include product name, application, MSDS, what class risk the chemical is, the controls for prevention of exposure that are required and what first aid, medical or safety action should be taken if a person is exposed.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use, storage and first aid instructions and where possible, obtain a MSDS to keep with the substance or where staff can have immediate access to the information in an emergency, and ensure all staff are aware of the safety and first aid information in the
MSDS.
Normal domestic or commercial products and quantities may also be included in the register.
When disposing of unwanted hazardous chemicals, substances, or equipment, do so safely or in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions,
OHS Regulation, locl council regulation or Department of Health advice as relevant. Do not flush chemicals or medications down the drain, sink, toilet, sewer or gutter.
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Wear appropriate personal protective clothing (e.g. gloves, aprons, mask, goggles) in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions when using or disposing of hazardous chemicasl or substances.
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Seek medical advice immediately if poisoning or potentially hazardous ingestion, inhaled, skin or eye exposure has occurred, or call the Poisons
Information Line on 131126 , or call an ambulance, dial 000 .
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In the case of any child or staff member injured by a chemical, substance or equipment, institute emergency, medical and first aid procedures, notify
WorkCover NSW immediately and any other person or authority as required.
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W ater is identified as a serious hazard as it poses risks for slips, falls and drowning. Care should be taken to wipe up excess water on all floors and work surfaces. Water used for cleaning (eg: mopping floors) and for water play (eg: troughs and trays) should be supervised or kept out of reach of children.
Excursions and events involving water hazards should be assessed and risk risk managements undertaken.
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In any major emergency involving a hazardous chemical or equipment, a hazardous gas or a fire or explosion hazard, call the emergency services, dial 000 and notify WorkCover NSW immediately and any other person or authority as required.
Risk Assessment & Management
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Think – identify and assess the problem
Consider all possible sources of information about chemicals that people in the workplace maybe exposed to.
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Talk – consult with employees and volunteers
Consult employees and volunteers to get their opinion on the substances that are being used and whether they have experienced any problems.
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Do – take action to eliminate or control the risk.
4.
Review (feedback) – how effective are control practices?
Example of the components of a chemical register
Name Typical Health
Effects
Precautions for Use First Aid
Plants
The centre will ensure that no poisonous or otherwise dangerous plants (e.g. thorny cactii) are planted and that trees and shrubs are pruned to prevent injury.
Contractors
The centre will ensure contractors e.g. Pest Control Service use products are
“registered by the relevant authorities, and applied as per label.” And “that pesticides used are of the lowest toxicity available and are applied in a judicious manner.”
References:
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Health & Safety in Children’s Centres: Model Policies & Practices 2 nd edition, revised, Firth, Kambouris, O’Grady, School of Public Health and Community
Medicine, University of NSW, November 2003
The Community Services Safety Pack – A guide to Occupational Health &
Safety, WorkCover, January 2004
Is it Poisonous – An A-Z guide to poisons, by Dr Helen Dauncey & Robyn
Lawson, Bay Books, 1994
This policy complies with Education and Care and Services National regulations 2011 No. 653.
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